Crafton engineer outlines multi-project sewer separations and Yimming Road repair estimate

Crafton Borough’s engineer updated council on Aug. 14 on multiple public-works projects, including the Broadhead sewer separation, Purine Street issues and Yimming Road repair options.

Engineer Larry Keenan told council the Broadhead sewer separation project is scheduled to mobilize Aug. 18 and carries a contractor-estimated completion date of Oct. 21, 2026. Work on the C-20s sewer separation project was reported at the Linden Avenue and Steuben Street intersection and includes overnight water-line relocations by Pennsylvania American Water contractor Wilson Excavating beginning Aug. 18.

Keenan said an updated cost estimate for a limited repair of Yimming Road—the option to fix the immediate road and drainage—came in at about $350,000. He said that a recent traffic study found lower volumes than expected, which made narrower, less expensive repair options feasible compared with earlier plans that had higher price estimates.

Keenan also reported that the Purine Street sewer project awaits a city resolution on right-of-way or eminent-domain steps; an eminent-domain ordinance was scheduled for council consideration at an upcoming meeting. The engineer summarized other ongoing programs: annual CCTV inspection of sewer lines, craft and O&M repair contracts in various stages, and a Brick Streets assessment intended to produce a multi-year plan.

Council members asked about timing for repairs and grants; Keenan said some grant windows (for example, a multimodal transportation fund) are on an annual cycle and could be pursued next March. He provided an initial estimate of approximately $70,000 to install a hydrant at the new public-works building site and noted the borough currently spends about $25,000 per year to rent hydrants and associated vault fees.